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Switzerland has four national languages. German is most widely spoken, particularly in central and eastern Switzerland, whilst French dominates the west, and Italian is common in the south. On Collette’s tours, local guides help you navigate language shifts with confidence.
Weather varies by region, elevation, and time of day. Even in summer, cooler temperatures (and remnant snow!) are common in the mountains, whilst lakeside cities tend to be milder. Pack clothing you can layer and comfortable walking shoes.
Cheese and chocolate offer a delicious window into Swiss culture. Travellers can look forward to specialities like fondue, raclette, and local chocolates.
Tour Design Manager
When I travel, I’m inspired by the stories that shape a destination — its history, people, traditions, and everyday rhythms. That’s why I create tours that include authentic local experiences. I want my tours to feel engaging, purposeful, and memorable, so you go home with a deeper understanding of the places you’ve been.
Tour Manager
I have 28+ years of experience as a Tour Manager and I love sharing my knowledge about culture, local traditions, history, and the everyday life of this region with all my guests.
Want to learn more about our Tour Managers?
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Great tour; however, views from hotel rooms were rooftops and roads where others had waterfalls and lake views.
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Our recent Alpine Lakes and Scenic Trains tour with Collette exceeded every expectation. From the breathtaking mountain scenery and crystal-clear alpine lakes to the unforgettable train journeys through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, every day felt like a postcard come to life. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, offering the perfect balance of sightseeing, relaxation, and cultural experiences. The hotels were comfortable and well-located, the included meals were excellent, and every detail was handled seamlessly. What truly made this trip exceptional was our tour manager, whose knowledge, organization, and enthusiasm enhanced every experience. We never had to worry about logistics, allowing us to simply enjoy the beauty and charm of each destination. Highlights included the stunning alpine vistas, picturesque villages, and the world-famous scenic rail journeys that provided views we could never have experienced any other way. Every stop offered something unique and memorable. This was our first Alpine adventure with Collette, and it certainly won’t be our last. If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate—you’ll return home with incredible memories, amazing photos, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the region. Highly recommended!
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Seeing the Eiffel Tower with all the lights going off & fireworks at midnight after the Cabernet dinner show. A surprise stop JP arranged with the mini bus driver. So fun with a small group!!!
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Our tour manager JP Ruze was the best. He was like family to us. My wife had our passport stolen. He was with us everyday. Guiding us so we could stay with the tour and receive our emergency passports. If you had all JP Ruze as a your Tour manager. Every tour would be sold out. He is like family to us and miss him. Please provide him with everything he needs and Collette would have many return guests. Thank You Chris Hickok
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Our trip was incredible from start to finish. Definitely more then we ever imagined!! We started with the walking tours and learned such about the area. Our day trips were amazing, the Elkhorn and yodeling was so fun, the beautiful architecture, churches, Mansions and Castle, the Monastery/Brewery, the snow capped Swiss Alps, the food, our extra excursions to Mount Pilatus and Seefeld were fantastic!! We so enjoyed the folklore show, Wow, it was spectacular. We definitely need to acknowledge our tour guide Javier was so amazing, always there to help if needed and so knowledgeable, as well as Patty and Michael❤️ We did so much in the time we were there and yet still had time to ourselves. It was a very unforgettable trip and a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary which gave us so many memories that we will cherish forever❤️
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One of my favorite things was seeing the ski jump in Innsbrook.
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Javier made the tour with knowledge of the area and his personality.
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Well organized and beautiful sites. Favorite was Pilates and Lucerene
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Excellent itinerary, outstanding scenery! Train ride from Montreaux to Gstaad was a highlight.
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It is hard to pick a favorite memorable experience, the whole trip was amazing, and the guide was so helpful and informative. I had a health issue and Damiano was excellent in helping me, he was very caring. The views were breathtaking and our bus driver (Diago), he was an expert at handling all the switch backs going thru the mountains.
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To start the tour manage Damiano Tognao was wonderful. His grace, patience’s kindness and humor were amazing. I really appreciated his knowledge of the places we visited and pointing out the differences in Swiss and Italian cultures. I would love to do another trip with him as my tour manager/guide. As for the trip I loved all of it. I feel that each part and place had its own unique beauty and to pick one is difficult. I loved the time spent in Bavino and Stresa Italy. Visiting 3 islands was amazing. The alps and Zermatt were incredible! The train rides were jaw dropping beauty!
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I enjoyed every tour guide- the Swiss guide in Switzerland was especially outstanding. All in all it was a great experience- beautiful scenery and wonderful people. I live in Wisconsin. Will book another tour in Spring !
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The tour was superb. Picking a favorite experience is hard...the St. Bernards at Barryland, the beautiful alpine vistas, the rural farm, the creamery, the Golden Pass rail trip...all fantastic!
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Mt. Pulatis and the experiences at the small villages. Liked being in the small villages and mountains rather than the large cities.
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Breathtaking!
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Excellent
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A plus
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We loved our tour and felt our Tour Manager did an outstanding job keeping track of 40 people. Since we are older, it was somewhat hard adjusting to each hotel and the bathrooms per room. Some hotels were definitely better than others. The only other problem we had was making sure we had everything we needed to travel on the trains. While we enjoyed the train travel, making sure we had everything we needed as we sent our luggage on required some thought.
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Great time. Switzerland is simply gorgeous. Tour included Zurich, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lucern, as well as Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy. We felt that the tour included about all we could see in these cities. The train rides were epic and the optional excursions were wonderful. Our tour guide was Armando and we would rate him A-1. We hope our paths will cross again someday!
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Awesome Tour! Vili was a great tour manager, highly recommend this tour!
Rated Exceptional
4.7 out of 5 in the past year - backed by 29,601 lifetime reviews
Climb aboard legendary Alpine railways and set out on a journey across the captivating Alpine landscapes of Switzerland and Italy.
View 9 - 10-Day Itinerary
Embark on an invigorating journey through Europe’s towering Alps and idyllic towns.
Australian citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays in Switzerland. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, which allows travellers to visit for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Passport validity requirements still apply. Collette provides guidance on entry requirements prior to departure, but travellers are responsible for ensuring their documents are valid at the time of travel.
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the euro. Whilst some businesses — especially in tourist areas — may accept euros, change is typically given in Swiss Francs. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, and travellers generally find it easy to use cards for personal expenses.
The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you’d like to experience. Late spring through summer offers your best chance at clear mountain views, scenic rail journeys, and lake cruises. Early fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful alpine landscapes. Winter tours focus more on cultural traditions and seasonal experiences — such as Christmas markets — rather than outdoor adventure. Collette offers Switzerland tours across multiple seasons, each designed around the time of year.
Many Collette Switzerland tours include destinations like Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland, Zermatt, St. Moritz, and scenic alpine regions connected by famous rail routes. Travellers often enjoy Lake Lucerne cruises, panoramic train journeys like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, and exploring historic old towns with local guides.
Switzerland is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, with low crime rates and excellent infrastructure. Travellers should still take normal precautions, particularly in busy areas, but most Collette guests feel very comfortable travelling here. Guided touring also provides added peace of mind, with professional Tour Managers handling logistics and support throughout the journey.
Activity levels vary by tour, but most Switzerland tours involve moderate walking including city walks, train stations, and uneven surfaces in historic areas. Scenic rail journeys and lake cruises offer more relaxing days. Each Collette tour lists a specific activity level so you can choose a tour that matches your pace and mobility needs.
Transportation is included throughout Collette’s Switzerland tours and usually includes a mix of motorcoach travel, scenic trains, and boats. Iconic rail routes like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Line are highlights on select tours, turning travel days into memorable experiences.
Expect dishes like fondue, raclette, alpine cheeses, chocolate specialities, and locally sourced meats and produce with some variation between regions influenced by the surrounding countries. Many Collette tours include meals or tastings that highlight regional flavours, such as raclette enjoyed at a dairy farm or meals featuring traditional Swiss ingredients. Dietary needs can usually be accommodated with advance notice.
Switzerland’s weather can change quickly, especially in alpine regions, so layered clothing is recommended year-round. Comfortable walking shoes are essential with a good grip for cobblestones, and even summer travellers should bring a light jacket for cooler mountain temperatures. Collette provides packing guidance before departure based on the specific tour and season.
Tipping is not required in Switzerland, as service charges are typically included. That said, rounding up a bill or leaving a small gratuity for excellent service is appreciated.
Switzerland’s geography, transport systems, and regional differences can be complex to navigate independently. Collette’s guided tours simplify the experience by handling logistics, securing scenic rail reservations, and providing expert local insight along the way. Travellers benefit from thoughtful pacing, knowledgeable Tour Managers, and access to experiences that can be hard to puzzle together on your own.
From handpicked hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences to thoughtfully integrated free time, our on-the-ground team in Switzerland crafts journeys they'd want to take themselves.
Travellers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like travelling with a friend who's got the inside scoop. They live in the destination and share hidden gems that only the locals know.
Discover storybook castles and opulent palaces amidst stunning Alpine vistas as you explore Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
View 11-Day Itinerary
